THE BRITISH NAVY.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2313, 5 October 1908, Page 2

THE BRITISH NAVY.

: PRESBYTERIAN CHAPLAINS. 1 A AIAORI RECRUIT. [Special to “Times.”] AYELLINGTON, Oct. 3. On the 16th September last Lord Plunket forwarded to the Secretary of State for tho Colonies a request from the Rev. Dr. Gibb tliat certain clergymen should be appointed chaplains to the fleet, so that the Presbyterian Church should have the same opportunities that obtain with tho Anglican and Alc’ihodist Churches, and be able to Alinister to the needs of tlieir co-religionists on board His Atajesty’s ships at the four principal ports of New" Zealand. “If this request can be granted under tho present regulations,” wrote tho Governor, “I desire to support the application.” AIAORIiS AND THE NAVY-. On tlio 13tli January, 190 S, Sir AVm. Steward wrote to Sir J. G. Ward complaining that an application from -a young Maori to enter tho nav.v had been i-etused by tlie captain of the Challenger. “The candidate,” he writes, “is physically a first-class recruit, just 21 years of age, sft Tin in height, 40in chest measurement, and well educated, speaking as good English as does Air. Ngata or Alr. Carroll. I w - as greatly surprised that his being- a full-blooded Maori prevents liis -acceptance.” The PruneMinister forwarded the letter to H>sExcellence tlio Governor, who™ sent, the correspondence to the Colonial Office without comment- •